Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand Chapter 129 - 24: The Little Monk of the Sand Temple (2)

"I had worse luck than you. I was abandoned in the desert as an infant, never knowing who my parents were. If not for Buddha's rcy and my master—the forr abbot of this Sand Temple—finding by chance, I might have been dried up like a mummy in the desert heat or beco a snack for the desert wolves.

But I was also luckier than you. I wasn't made a Jinchūriki until I was ten years old, arranged by the First Kazekage, Retto. Before that, I was cared for by my master. Every day, I listened to his teachings on Buddhist principles, learned to read and write, ditated, and lived a carefree life. A bean paste bun or a bowl of plain noodle soup could bring imnse joy. I was a happy little monk, haha."

As Fenfuku spoke, a blissful smile spread across his face, as if reminiscing about those joyful days. Han sat cross-legged, listening intently, seemingly able to feel the serenity of that ti.

"When I turned ten, my master called to his side and said, 'My disciple, I am about to pass away, but there are two matters weighing heavily on my heart.'

I quickly asked, 'What are they?'

Haha, at that ti, I was young and naive. I didn't fully understand what 'passing away' ant. I thought it was simply going to the distant Western Pure Land to et Buddha, and he'd return after a while.

My master said, 'The first matter is you. You're still young, inexperienced, and know little of the worldly ways. After I leave, I don't know how you'll manage.'

I replied, 'Master, don't worry. Rest assured. The donation box has money, the kitchen has food, the backyard has a well and a vegetable garden—I won't starve. I'll stay in the temple and continue studying Buddhist teachings. Except for buying food, I won't need to go anywhere.'

My master thought for a while, nodded, and said, 'That's true. The second matter is... this.'

Saying that, he lifted his robe to reveal an 卍 seal on his abdon, just like yours.

My master said, 'Inside this seal is a big fellow with a bad temper. I can't take it with when I leave, and I don't know what to do about it.'

At the ti, I was young and bold. I patted my chest and said, 'Master, rest easy. Leave the big fellow to —I'll take care of it.'

My master chuckled and said, 'But what if its bad temper leads it to attack you?'

I replied, 'No problem! If it has a bad temper, I'll be patient. I'll talk to it and reason with it. Surely it won't always want to attack .'

My master laughed heartily at my words and said, 'Good, good. But you can't just endure. I still have seven days left, and during that ti, I'll teach you a set of thirty-six moves for the 卍 sealing technique. When you can't bear it, use this thod to restrain it a bit.'"

"And then?"

Han was completely engrossed.

"And then, I beca the new Jinchūriki for Shukaku."

Fenfuku calmly took a sip of tea before continuing.

"At the ti, I was still young and inexperienced. My techniques weren't fully developed, and Shukaku, as my master had said, indeed had a bad temper. Over the next ten-plus years, there were several occasions when it broke free from the seal, leaving this Sand Temple in ruins. What you see now is the fifth reconstruction of the temple; the only original part is the backyard well."

Fenfuku pointed toward the backyard.

"Haha," Han couldn't help but laugh, feeling like he'd found a kindred spirit.

"One ti, things got out of hand. Shukaku went berserk and ran into the village, causing quite a bit of destruction and casualties. Sigh, what a sin, what a sin."

Fenfuku clasped his hands together in prayer, repeatedly chanting apologies.

"Ah! Didn't the Kazekage punish you?"

"Of course! By then, it was the era of the Second Kazekage, Lord Shamon. He led a group of jonin and expended great effort to reseal Shukaku. Afterward, to prevent such incidents from happening again, I was exiled to the Abyss."

"The Abyss? What's that?"

Han asked curiously.

"It's a prison built in a deep valley. It's so deep and dark that you can barely see a sliver of light. I was the only one imprisoned there."

"How long were you there?"

"In the darkness, ti is hard to perceive. Looking back now, based on the calendar, it should have been..."

Fenfuku calculated on his fingers.

"Haha, twenty-six years."

"What?! You were imprisoned in a pitch-black place for twenty-six years?!"

"Haha, yes. But there was a small opening through which I could see the stars at night."

Han was filled with admiration. He was naturally restless and found it unbearable to spend even fifteen days in Iwagakure's detention center. This old monk had endured twenty-six years in a pitch-black abyss! What incredible fortitude!

"How did you pass the ti there?"

Han asked, curious.

"ditating, sitting in silence, chanting scriptures, and thinking about how to deal with Shukaku."

"Did you co up with a solution?"

"I ca up with a foolish one."

"Oh? What was it?"

"Haha, just focusing all my energy on staying awake, constantly guarding the seal and Shukaku."

"Old monk, you're foolish! Why not add more seals? Wouldn't that solve the problem? Why tornt yourself like that?"

Han said disdainfully.

Fenfuku smiled and replied, "Adding another seal would an another shackle for Shukaku. It would make him suffer more."

"And you still care about him? Not sleeping will kill you!"

"Haha, Shukaku isn't a lifeless object. He has thoughts, emotions, and desires, though his personality is a bit erratic. There's no need to tornt him."

"But he's tornting you!"

"This is fate; it's also my mission. If I don't enter hell, who will? Amitabha."

Han didn't understand the old monk's perspective but was eager to hear more stories.

"Keep going. What happened next?"

"Eventually, I couldn't hold on anymore and fell asleep."

"Ah! Didn't Shukaku break free?"

"Yes, he did."

"Didn't he wreak havoc in the village again?"

"Not this ti."

"Why?"

"Because a young ninja arrived and subdued Shukaku single-handedly. He also woke up."

"Wow! This person must be amazing!"

Han was excited. He knew how powerful Shukaku was, and anyone who could subdue him must be incredibly strong.

"Yes, that ninja was indeed remarkable and wise. He ca up with a way for to sleep."

"What way?"

"He used the False Sleep Technique. I could sleep peacefully while he kept Shukaku occupied. When things got intense, he'd wake up to catch my breath. The ninja visited regularly, and this mostly resolved the problem."

"Sounds like he was using Shukaku for training!"

Han was skeptical.

"Haha, that's exactly it. He improved his skills, and I got to rest—a win-win situation."

"This person is smart. Who is he?"

"Haha, you've t him. He's the Third Kazekage, Lord Jinghang."

"Him!"

Han's mind conjured the image of a blue-haired young man.

"And then?"

"Then I was released."

"Why? Did Shukaku stop causing trouble?"

"Yes. Over ti, after spending so long with Shukaku, our relationship beca less tense. We could talk things out. Shukaku isn't inherently evil; he's just a bit unruly. With gradual guidance, he can abandon his wicked ways."

"Hmph! I don't believe it."

Han had tried communicating with Kokuō, but Kokuō had always ignored him.

Fenfuku thought for a mont and said, "How about this? Co with to the village, and I'll treat you to so delicious food."

Han's eyes lit up. Since coming to the Sand Temple, he'd only eaten vegetables and tofu. The prospect of good food was naturally tempting.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

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